All Posts In Food Network Star

Mentors Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis are known for their go-big-or-go-home approaches to the Food Network Star competition, so it was no surprise when they not only tasked the finalists with an impromptu spotlight challenge in the premiere episode, but also a next-level cooking test. The cooking challenge sent rivals out of Food Star Kitchen and on location to a food festival, where they had to prepare signature eats for a crowd of 100 people. It takes quite a feat to pull off both the in-studio production and the taping at Triunfo Vineyards, located in the picturesque setting of the Malibu mountains, for an episode like this; below are never-before-seen photos from both sets. Keep scrolling for an insider's look at the making of the premiere and to see what the cast was up to between takes, then check out the full behind-the-scenes gallery for more snapshots.

Ahhh, early June is upon us. The flowers are in full bloom, the pollen count is off the charts, my tank-top tan is ripe and another cast of hopeful foodies — with often questionable culinary points of view — are presented before us in the grand parade known as Food Network Star. I could not be more excited for two reasons. First: I am, first and foremost, a longtime Food Network Star fan. And second: I am an alumni and winner of the show. Having been through this experience, I am the perfect person to guide us all through this season’s journey of ups and down, cuts and burns, unexpected challenges, and the ubiquitous quest for one’s culinary “personality.” Every Monday I'll be bringing you inside my mind for the latest dish on the previous night's contest.

It takes a lot of moxie to put yourself out there and audition for this show. An overnight process it is not. I tried out three times (getting very close once) before I was cast on Season 7. On that Sunday evening, when the premiere episode of Season 7 aired, my life instantly CHANGED. I know it’s a cliche statement, but from that point on my life has been a whirlwind wooden roller coaster of shoots, flights, appearances, the good and the bad, and tons and tons of fun. That being said, to whomever wins Season 11 of Food Network Star, I have a couple words of advice: Family is everything. Keep them close and be sure to have them remind you daily that, yes, indeed your poop does still stink. Be nice to everyone, especially the crew. Give back. My career has thankfully lasted, and I believe these are the reasons why.

It's the nature of the Food Network Star beast that even though no matter how badly finalists want to achieve their dreams of stardom, ultimately only one can win the coveted title, and with that, 11 finalists will be going home. Every week Star Talk will bring you the first exclusive interview with the most-recently eliminated finalist. From thoughts on mentors' critiques to reflections on past challenges and hopes for the future, be sure to check back every Sunday night for the latest one-on-one chat.

Tonight's premiere episode showed the finalists getting their first tastes of potential stardom as they took those momentous steps into Food Star Kitchen, several with their eyes wide and mouths agape, and surely many had butterflies in their stomachs. We're about to break down the ins and outs of the episode and reveal who went home, so if you've yet to watch the premiere, read no further until then.

In honor of Food Network Star's most-groundbreaking season yet, Susie Fogelson — one half of the esteemed team of Food Network executives on the judges panel with judge-mentors Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis — partnered with BaubleBar to add to her signature style in the form of fashionable jewelry. When it comes to dressing for TV and the office, Susie explains, "Regardless of the setting, I want the look to complement my personality," and regardless of the clothes or accessories, I always want the focus to be on what message I am delivering."

Just in time for tomorrow's premiere, when Susie will debut the first of the BaubleBar pieces she'll be wearing this season, FN Dish caught up with her to learn more about her style and what she's most looking forward to in this year's competition.

How has your style evolved over time?Susie Fogelson: As I mentioned earlier, my style has evolved as my life has changed. Depending on my schedule, what the mornings are like with the girls, what meetings are booked through the day as well as what after-office-hours plans may be, I would say my casual style has changed over time more than my business or eloquent looks, as my casual style needs to be comfortable, but also reflect both my roles as a working mother and an executive.

It's Season 11 of the Food Network Star competition, and Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis are in charge, which can mean only one thing. This year's contest is set to be the most demanding yet, with trying challenges week after week, as well as a roster of special guests expecting excellence, plus emotional evaluations and difficult decisions that must be made.

The competition kicks off on Sunday night (at 9|8c), and even in the first episode, Bobby and Giada will be outfitted with their signature high expectations, ready to relay to the finalists just how monumental this job interview is. Take a look at the photo above to get a peek at Sunday's premiere. Judging by Bobby's and Giada's focused glares and Bobby's palms-up shrug, it seems as though someone just in front of them has left them wondering. What do you think could have caused this reaction from the mentors, and who do you think is responsible for it?

You've read all about this season's 12 hopeful finalists, watched their casting videos and gotten the first tastes of their signature dishes, and you've likely already picked one — or a few — to root for during this week's premiere (Sunday at 9|8c). Now it's time to help your favorite finalists top the fan vote.

Currently Christina Fitzgerald is in the lead with 21 percent of the votes, though Matthew Grunwald is close behind, currently earning 16 percent of the votes. To help them secure their places, and to bring up the rankings of the other finalists, all you have to do is vote for them online. You can vote as many times per day as you'd like; once per day after voting, you can enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win Star superfan swag.

On Sunday, 12 hopeful rivals will kick off their journey to stardom. And although how they portray themselves on camera and what dishes they prepare in Food Star Kitchen is ultimately up to them, they're not alone in the contest: Mentors Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis will be there throughout the competition, not only as judges but also as mentors tasked with fostering the finalists' budding Star power.

Recently Star Talk caught up with Giada to find out what it's like for her to mentor these rivals and how her approach to the responsibility differs from Bobby's method. "We have very different mentoring styles," Giada told us in an exclusive interview. "I'm more of a mom in the sense that I really want to get to the core of a person. And I really want to instill in them a sense of empowerment. I feel cooking is — for me, anyway — has always been part of an empowerment. I feel strong when I'm cooking. Everybody here who loves to cook feels strong when they're cooking."

It's no secret that the road to stardom is a brutal one, paved with mentors' honest critiques, pressures from fellow rivals, plus, of course, finalists' internal drives to succeed. So you know that by the time a Star is crowned at the end of 11 weeks, the winner is simply the best of the best, both on camera and in the kitchen. Guy Fieri, Melissa d'Arabian, Damaris Phillips and other past Star winners are proof of that, and when it comes to their culinary chops, their abilities to turn everyday ingredients into wow-worthy meals is second to none.

There are many ways to build up your collection of sweet and savory favorites, but perhaps the best is to start with Star-powered recipes, those classic dishes from past Food Network Star winners. From Guy's bacon-studded macaroni and cheese to Melissa's saucy pulled pork and Damaris' rich, creamy chocolate pudding, these tried-and-true bites are crowd-pleasers. Click here to get these recipes and more from some of the most-memorable past victors, then get set for a new season of Star, premiering Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c.

Much like Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson are no strangers to the inner workings of Food Network Star. These Food Network executives know well what to look for as they discern glimmers of Star power among the hopefuls, and each year it's up to them to sit with the mentors on the Selection Committee and represent the network as it recruits its newest personality. Just in time for next weekend's Season 11 premiere, on Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c, Star Talk chatted with both Bob and Susie to learn more about what their roles at Food Network look like beyond the Selection Committee and get their takes on what skills contestants ought to have before beginning this ultimate job interview.

Read on below to get the dish from Susie and learn her take on the all-important culinary POV, then click here for an exclusive interview with Bob.

Tell us about what you do. What does a typical day look like for you?Susie Fogelson: I’m a pretty typical working mom. My goal every morning is to have my kids (and myself) fed, dressed and out the door by 8:30 a.m. We’re successful most of the time. I drop them off at school and then go to our lovely office in the Chelsea Market, where I’m typically in meetings from the moment I arrive until it’s time to go home and have dinner with my family. It’s a hectic, whirlwind of a schedule, but I love what I do.

Much like Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson are no strangers to the inner workings of Food Network Star. These Food Network executives know well what to look for as they discern glimmers of Star power among the hopefuls, and each year it's up to them to sit with the mentors on the Selection Committee and represent the network as it recruits its newest personality. Just in time for next weekend's Season 11 premiere, on Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c, Star Talk chatted with both Bob and Susie to learn more about what their roles at Food Network look like beyond the Selection Committee and get their takes on what skills contestants ought to have before beginning this ultimate job interview.

Read on below to get the dish from Bob and hear how the series has evolved since its earliest days, then click here to read an exclusive interview with Susie.

Beyond Food Network Star, what does your day-to-day job with the network look like?Bob Tuschman: I'm the general manager of the network, and my main responsibility is overseeing the development, production and scheduling of all of our programming. I have an incredibly talented team of about 25 people who come up with ideas for shows, work with production companies and oversee every aspect of show production for Food Network to make sure that every show we do is up to the promise that we'll want to give our viewers. I also have another team that works strategically to schedule those shows in a way that ensures the most viewers can see the kind of programs they want to see when they want to see them. I'm lucky to say that I really get to be the conductor of an extremely talented orchestra that's ultimately responsible for creating everything that you see on our air.